Eat an African heritage dish this week

Feb. 1 marks not only the start of Black History Month but also African Heritage & Health Week.Oldways, the Boston-based nonprofit food and nutrition organization behind the week-long observance, is offering a delicious challenge: Enjoy at least one dish, at home or at a local restaurant, “inspired by the cuisines of African-American ancestors” or Oldways’ African Heritage Diet Pyramid between now and Feb. 7.

Oldways says African heritage cuisine will be the next big food trend because of its “savory flavors and naturally healthy features.” The organization defines the cuisine as the "foods, flavors and healthy cooking techniques that were core to the wellbeing of African ancestors from Africa, South American, the Caribbean and the American South."

That the food of sub-Saharan Africa will be hot, although perhaps not for a decade or two, was the thrust of my Dining story last week titled: “A Taste of Tomorrow Today.” The story came with a list of six African restaurants in Chicago.

Oldways has a list of African restaurants in Chicago and other cities on its African Heritage and Health Week page.